Lac La Biche County officials are evacuating residents in a large portion of the community that could be in the path of a four-foot tall wave of water.
At 10 p.m., county officials called for a mandatory evacuation of residents from The Mission Road near the Airport east to 105 Street in Lac La Biche as heavy rains and mounting fields of water could wash away railway tracks that have been acting as a partial dam.
"There is potential for the train tracks to wash out, causing approximately four feet of water to suddenly enter the area," notes an emergency notice issued by the municipality Sunday night.
Any residents in the area are being told to go to the Bold Center to register. From there, hotel rooms have been made available for all evacuees.
"If you are in the affected area, leave the area immediately. Please go to the Devon Room at the Bold Center to register and you will be placed in a hotel room. Please bring pets and essential supplies for the next 48 hours with you," notes the emergency warning.
County officials are asking that residents registering use the rear parking lot of the Bold Center to access the Devon Room.
State of Local Emergency
The evacuation order comes on the heels of the municipality's emergency management staff calling for a State of Local Emergency. The declaration was made at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night. Details about the State of Local Emergency can be found HERE